Raiders go from playoff contender to also-ran in first year of new regime

When the new regime took over the Oakland Raiders last January, they inherited an 8-8 team that fell one game shy of the playoffs, featuring an offense that could be prolific at times and a defense that was historically bad.

Ten games into the first season under general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen, the offense has taken a decided step backward, the defense has somehow regressed and the Raiders (3-6) are nowhere near being a playoff team.

The situation McKenzie and Allen entered was not an easy one despite the presence of a capable quarterback in Carson Palmer, a big-play running back in Darren McFadden and a handful of other playmakers on both sides of the ball. But the early returns have not been positive.